This temple complex is more like a small city, with its 49 separate shrines and 7 gopurams: the last one, added about 30 years ago, at 73m. is one of Asia’s tallest temple towers.

I wandered through streets of shops selling the area’s famous kitchen ironware, and clay incense-holders and ghee-lamps, as well as geegaws of all sorts. It wasn’t too hot yet, so I took my time, milling along with women in red saris (a wedding? temple visit?), men in dhotis long and short, motorbikes, auto-and a few bike-rickshaws.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Leaving, I looked back and my eyes and camera lens landed on this man – sadhu? shopkeeper?